Multiple use reversible carrying case and system

ABSTRACT

A highly versatile reversible carrying case is comprised of at least two sections hinged for swinging movement from a closed position forming an attache-type carrying case to turn fully inside out or be held at a selected angle relative to one another so that an inner panel portion with a smooth, hard, planar inner utility surface of each section becomes exposed for a variety of uses including as a miniature desk, lecturn, display board, projector screen, light table and the like. At least one of the sections has an inner storage compartment formed therein with the inner panel portion being movable to provide access into the inner storage compartment. The sections are releasably fastened in the closed position and each have a retractable handle for carrying purposes. The inside surfaces of the compartment are used for light reflection or as a projector screen surface.

United States Patent 1 1 Alderman 15 MULTIPLE USE REVERSIBLE CARRYINGCASE AND SYSTEM [76] Inventor: Willis 11. Alderman, 11287 w. 26th PL,Lakewood, Colo. 80215 22 Filed:, Aug. 7., 1972 21 Appl. No.: 278,205

52 U.s.cl.....- ..190/11,190/1,190/51,

' 16/150 51 Int. Cl. A45c 9/00 [58] Field ofSearch..150/1.6;'190/1,11,16,

190/42, 49, 51, 52; 240/2 AD, 2 D, 2 AT, 2 P, 6.4 B; 350/117; 40/106.1;248/455, 454,

[56.] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 929,074 7/1909 Brown 190/161,274,003 7/1918 Christie 190/51 2,211,660 8/1940 Kidd 312/231 2,219,524l0/l940. Lindley 16/150 X 2,450,757 10/1948 I-lutchison 190/1 X2,560,335 7/1951. Ericson 350/117 2,962,825 12/1960 Bravo 40/1061 Sept.3, 1974 3/1963 Gee ..190 1 3/1970 Simmons ..40/106.IX

Primary ExaminerDonald F. Norton Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Ance1 W.Lewis, Jr.

[57] ABSTRACT A highly versatile reversible carrying case is comprisedof at least two sections hinged for swinging movement from a closedposition forming an attachetype carrying case to turn fully inside outor be held at a selected angle relative to one another so that an innerpanel portion with a smooth, hard, planar inner utility surface of eachsection becomes exposed for a variety of uses including as aminiaturedesk, lecturn,

display board, projector screen, light table and the like. At least oneof the sections has an inner storage compartment formed therein with theinner panel portion being movable to provide access into the'innerstorage compartment. The sections are releasably fastened in the closedposition and each have a retract- I able handle for carrying purposes.The inside surfaces of the compartment are used for light reflection oras a projector screen surface. 1

18 Claims, 12 DrawingFigures a;aaa.oss

PATENTEDSEP 31924 samw a MULTIPLE USE REVERSIBLE CARRYING CASE ANDSYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally tocarrying cases and more particularly to=a novel reversible carrying casewith at least two sections adapted to be carried like an attache caseand turn relative to one another on a hinge inside out alongcorresponding sides to expose inside structure adapted for a variety ofuses.

At the present time there are no known products in the nature of acarrying case available in which a person may satisfactorily write whenseated in a chair with the device supported on the lap of the person.There are many possible applications for such a device including useduring travel, when in the office, in the field, or at home in acomfortable chair. While some attempt has been made to utilize an insideof an attache type case for such writing purposes, no known attache typecases have been entirely satisfactory. Moreover, there is no knownattache case available which affords sufficient flexibility to servemore than one 'purpose when turned inside out. Previous attemptsto'provide reversible carrying cases such as that shown in US. Pat. No.2,443,182 have soft bag-like sections and reverse the sections to morereadily render accessible the contents contained therein but do notprovide enough versatility in the construction thereof to make thesections useful for several purposes. y v

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a novelcarrying case which is reversible inside out making it suitable for avariety of uses including for use as a miniature desk, lecturn, displayboard, projector screen, light table and the like. i

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel reversiblecarrying case characterized by being made of two sections each having asmooth, hard, planar, inner utility surface extending substantially thefull extent of the inside of the associated section.

for carrying purposes. Each section hasan inside panel portion hingedlysecured thereto to provide access into the inner compartment and thecomposition of the inside panel portion is varied for differentpurposes. The panel portions may be constructed of Plexiglass and betransparent with a removable projector screen surface on the innerbackside thereof for use as a projector screen or the panel portion maybe translucent with a light reflecting surface on the inner backside ofthe section with a light source in the compartment for use as a lighttable, the sections also being particularly suited for display and/orwriting purposes. i 7

Other objects, advantages and capabilities of the present invention willbecome more apparent as the description proceeds takenin conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a carryingcase embodying features ofthepresent invention in the closed carrying position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the carrying case with one sectionpivoted away from the other from the closed position through an angle ofabout 90 to a partially open position with, both inside panels pivotedthrough a relatively small angle to a partially open position; I

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the carrying case in a fully openinside-out position;

FIG. 4 isa perspective view of I the case in which one of the casesections-has been rotated about 270 from the closed position one sectionsupported upright Yet another object of this invention is to provide anovel case in which additional sections may be readily added and yetwill fold intov a sandwiched or stacked relation for carrying purposes.j

Still a further object of this invention is to provide a novel carryingcase principally characterized by having two sections hinged to swing afull revolution relative to one another and be disposed in a sandwichedrelation so that inner smooth surfaces may be disposed at selectedangular positions and when the sections are fully inside out andparallel to one another serves, inter alia, as a miniature writing deskpositioned on the lap for use.

- SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION". I

In accordance with the present invention in a preferred embodiment shownthere is provided at least two sections with each having a smooth,planar, hard, inner utility surface extending the full extent oftheinside of the associated section and at least one .section having aninner storage compartment. The sections are hinged together for swingingmovement to turn completely inside out to exposethe inner utilitysurfaces for a variety of uses including for use as a miniature desk, alecturn', projection screen, light board, display board and the like.The sections are releasably fastened together in the closed position andeach have a retractable handle to serve as a projector screen; i

FIG. 5 is a perspective view' of the case in which one section beenrotated about 300 relative to the other section from' the closedposition-with the free endsof the sections serving as thebase of alectum and a light and 'a sheet support member added;

FIG. SAis a fragmentary sectional view showing the attachment of thesheet support member; I

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the case sections with one casesection having been rotated 1.80" from the closed position with bothsections disposed .in an upright position with the ends flush and theouter'surfaces coplanar; I

FIG. 7 is a plan-view of a fragment of one section which is made up offour channel members with portions broken away to show interiorconstruction together with the retracted position of the section handleshown in dashed lines;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the case in the closed position with some ofthe hinge straps removed to show the arrangement of the slots in thelower channel members;

' FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another form of car-1 rying caseembodying features of the present invention withadditional innersections.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The carrying case shown inFIGS. 1 through of the drawings in general comprises two case sectionsdesignated A and B hingedly connected along adjacent corresponding sideedges by a universal hinge generally designated by numeral 13 whichpermits each of the sections to swing through a full revolution betweenaclosed position shown inFIG. l and an inverted insideout open positionshown in FIG. 3. The sections are releasably fastened together in theclosed position by suitable cooperating male and female fasteningportions 14 and 15 located at the center along the inside upper edge ofsections A and B, respectively. Each section A and B has a retractablehandle 16 and 17, respectively, secured at the upper side to permit thecase to be hand carried.

The carrying case shown has a removable flexible side strap 18releasably secured along each side of each section. Each strap has aplurality of eyelets 19 at spaced intervals along the length thereofsecured at the ends by screw fasteners 20 at opposite ends thereof tohold the sections at a selected angular position relative to oneanother. The side straps 18 are preferably made of a flexible fabricsuch as woven nylon with the eyelets 19 located at each end and atspaced intervals between the ends. The screw fasteners 20 extend throughthe eyelets and thread into apertures in the side channel members. Whennot in use, the straps are carried within each side channel member andheld in place by the fasteners 20 which again thread into apertures inthe side channel members.

The sections A and B are held by the side straps 18 at various angulardispositions. For example, with section B turned 270 relative to sectionA from the closed position, the case is usable as a projector screen asshown in FIG. 4. With case section A turned about 320 relative to casesection B, the case is usable as a lecturn as shown in FIG. 5. Moreover,the case may be opened only with one case section pivoted 180 from theclosed position and the inner surfaces of the case sections form acoplanar surface as shown in FIG. 6 and described more fullyhereinafter.

In the illustrative embodiment shown in FIGS. 1

through 10, each of the sections A and B shown are generally of acorresponding size and shape and construction so that a description ofone generally applies to both with some variations as will be describedin detail hereinafter. Section A includes opposed upper and lowerchannel, members 21 and 22, respectively, and opposed end channelmembers 23 and 24 connected at the corners to members 21 and 22 in anopen framework together with a thin flat outer panel 25 and a thin flatinner panel 26-mo'unted on the framework to form the inner storagecompartment 27 therein with the straight outer edges of the panels beingflush with the outer edges of the legs of the associated channel membersso that the inside surfaces extend continuously through substantiallythe full extent of the inside of each section. 3

Each lower channel member has a similar transverse cross section andwith reference to member 22 comprises an intermediate web 22a, an outerleg 22b, and an inner leg 22c which is shorter than the outer leg to atleast allow for the thickness'of the hinge straps described hereinafter.

The outer panel 25 is fixedly secured to the framework as with anadhesive, rivets or the like and the inner panel 26 is pivotally mountedon the lower channel member 22 with a suitable inside hinge representedat 28 to permit the inner panel 25 to swing away from the framework andprovide access'into the inner storage compartment 27.

A suitable light source 29 is mounted in the compartment 27 which maybebattery powered or powered by conventional AC electric line power in asuitable electric cord. The inside surface of the outer panel 25designated 25a is a light reflector surface andthe panel 26 shown is atranslucent Plexiglass sheet or the like making section A suitable foruse as a light table. This light reflector surface may be provided as acoating on the inside of the panel 26 or as a separate insert sheet. Inits use as a light table an object such as microfilm, slides,transparencies and microforms may be placed on the top or outer surfaceof panel 26 and edited.

The outer surface of outer panel 25 is a wear surface of high wearmaterial such as vinyl plastic which may be of a selected color. ThePlexiglass with a smooth, hard outer surface which is particularlysuited for use as a writing surface or the like when the-sections A andB are turned inside'out as shown in FIG. 3.

Likewise, section B includes upper and lower channel members 31 and 32,respectively, and a pair of opposed end channel members 33 and 34connected to members 31 and 32 to form anopen framework with an outerpanel 35 and an inner. panel 36 mounted on the framework to form aninner storage compartment 37. The inner panel 36 is pivotally mounted tothe lower channel member 33 with a suitable inside hinge 38 to swingaway from the framework to provide access into the storage compartment37..A removable reversible sheet 35a is mounted in compartment 37. Sheet35a may be made of aluminum with one side painted white to form a screenprojector surface for a movie projector or the like with the other sidepainted black to display photographs or the like. I,

The handles 16 and 17 are of a similar construction and as best seen inFIG. 7 with specific reference to section A handle 16 comprisesa'pliable strap 40 inserted into a pair of spaced apart rigid loops 41and 42 in the outer channel and affixed thereto at opposite ends so thatthe handle may be extended for carrying as shown and be retractedwherein it lays along the inside of the channel and does not protrudetherefrom as shown in dashed lines at 40a.

For the hinge 13, joining the sections together, each of the lowerchannel members 22 and 32 of sections A and B, respectively, have aplurality of elongated slots arranged in a staggered or alternatingorder. Channel member 22 has one group of slots'designated 71 beingformed inone side of the web and another group of slots designated 72formed 'inthe opposite side of the web with each slotof the first group71 offset a' slot length from a slot in the second group 72. In turn,lower channel member 32 has one group of slots 51 in one side of the weband another group of slots 52 formed in the other opposite side of theweb. When the lower channel members are in an aligned position facingone another as shown in FIG. 9, theone group of straps 53 the otherchannel member to extend from diagonally opposite points on saidsections so that the two groups of straps 53 and 54 cross or intersectat their midpoints between the lower channel members. This straparrangement allows each'section to swing through a full revolutionrelative to the other section.

With the two lower channel members of the two sections in a juxtaposedrelation as shown in FIG. 10, a group of hinge straps 53 extend alongthe back side of the web through a slot, then over the adjacent legportion and down through a corresponding slot in the other channelmember. Each portions of the straps extend along the back of the web andare shown as fixedly secured thereto as with an adhesive asrepresentedat 56.

When used as a lecturn as shown in FIG. 5, a socket 61 at each corner.of the framework receives a male headed portion 62a formed on adetachable sheet support member 62 suited for supporting a sheetmaterial on one inner surface thereof as with. a conventional lecturn.The inner panel 26 has notched corner portions 26a to receive thesockets 61 as well as a center notch 26b to receive fastener portion 15.Moreover, there is provided a suitable lamp attachment -63 releasablymounted on the lower channel member 22 to light sheet material or scriptsupported on the lecturn in the channel of member 62. The lampattachment 63 may be powered by a conventional DC battery power pack oran AC line power and the lamp attachment will include a bulb and outershade portion with a suitable flexible neck to direct the light onto theutility surface of panel 26.

When used as a vertical display as shown in FIG. 6, the sections A and Bare held end to end abutting one another at adjacent side edges in, aflush relation by rigid side brackets 18a which insert into the sidechannel members and are secured in place by the screw type fasteners 20which extend intov apertures in the web of the side channel members. Apair of feet members 18b and 18c of a right angle shape press fit intothe channels against one another and have lower portions whichproject'outwardly in opposite directions to support'the planarconfiguration upright as shown.

In another form of the present invention shown in FIG. 11 there isprovided a pair of intermediate sections designated C and D sandwichedbetween case sections A and B like an accordion using the hingestructure 13 at connected ends so that the sections fold like anaccordion between a closed sandwiched position wherein they may becarried like an attache case and an open position in which the outersurfaces of corresponding surfaces are in a common plane. In this form,the intermediate sections preferably have both panels made of atransparent material which make is particularly suitable for use as adisplay for collections of stamps and the like.

From the foregoing it is readily apparent-that the present inventionutilizing a thin sheet of Plexiglass for smooth, durable surfaceforwriting purposes and then straight side edges with only slightlyrounded corners make it especially suited for use as for example adraftsman wherein a T-square may be placed along one side to drawstraight lines. Further thedevice may be used by stamp collectorswherein the stamp displays may be held under the Plexiglass sheets andparticularly this is,

. distinguishable from the recessed structure shown.

by properly sizing the case sections and making the inner channels fromlight weightmaterial such as aluminum that will be a'relatively lightweight and will readily fit on the lap of a person when seated ina'chair. The recesses permit the storage of accessory items such as theside straps and also allow the attachment of sheets to the panels bymeans of a clip or the like. The

Finally, a device utilizing features of the present invention may bereadily used at home and the office meetings, while traveling on aplane, train or car and practically any time or any place and allowsmany uses of the same structural arrangement for different purposes.

Although the present invention has been described with a certain degreeof particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has beenmade by way of example, and that details of structure may-be made without departing from the spirit thereof.

What isclaimed is: v

1. In a reversible J carrying case, the combination comprising:

two sections having a corresponding outline with at least'one sectionhaving a substantially smooth, hard, planar, inner utilitysurface'extending' continuously throughout substantially the fullextentof the inside of the associated section and at least one of saidsections having 'an inner storagecompartment; hinge reversible meansconnecting corresponding sides of the sections together for swingingmove ment of each section-through substantially afull revolutionrelative to the other section between a closed position and an openpositionexposing the inner utility surface for use; and I means toreleasably secure the sections together in the closed position forcarrying.

2. In a reversible carrying case as set forth in claim 1 wherein eachsaid section is in the form of a case with an innerstoragecompartment,said case sections being of a corresponding size andshape.

3. In a reversible carrying case as set forth in claim 2 wherein atleast the hinged sides and outersides opposite the hinged sides of eachsection are inwardly rec ssed. I I

4."In a reversible carrying case as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidreversible hinge means includes at least two additionalintermediate-sections connected between said first-mentioned sectionsalong adjacent sides like an accordion, each of 'said sections beinghingedly connected to swing through substantially afull revolutionrelative to the section to which it is directly connected.

5. In a reversible carrying case as set forth in claim I 4 whereinea'chsaid intermediate section includes a pair of opposed transparent panelshaving substantially smooth, hard, planar surfaces.

6. In a reversible carryingcase'as set forth in claim l-wherein' saidsection with a storage compartment has an outer and winner panel heldina spaced apart relation with an inner channel sandwiched between theouter and inner panels and located along marginal edges thereof with atleast the inner of said panels having straight edges terminating atrounded comers, said inner panel having the substantially smooth, hard,planar, innerutility surface.

7. In a reversible carrying case as set forth in claim 6 wherein saidinner panel is arranged to provide access into the associated innercompartment.

8. In a reversible carrying case as set forth in claim 6 wherein saidsection with a storage compartment has an inner light reflecting surfaceportion opposite the associated inner panel, a light source in saidstorage compartment, said inner panel being made of a translucentmaterial to form a light table.

9. In a reversible carrying case as set forth in claim 6 wherein saidinner channel extends at least along opposed side edges and the hingededge with the channel being open toward the outside of the case to forma pcripheral recess.

10. In a reversible carrying case as set forth in claim 1 wherein thereis provided a screen projector surface portion on a removable sheetassociated with one of said sections.

11. In a reversible carrying case as set forth in claim 1 furtherincluding holding means coupled between the sections to hold thesections at a selected angle relative to one another.

12. In a reversible carrying case as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidutility surface is provided by a relatively thin sheet of Plexiglass.

13. A reversible carrying case as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidhinge means includes a plurality of straps connected at diagonallyopposite points on corresponding edges of said sections with eachsuccessive strap alternating between opposite points in the sections toprovide a series of cross connections between said sections.

14. A reversible carrying case comprising:

two case sections having a corresponding outline and each having asmooth, hard, planar, inner utility surface extending continuouslythroughout substantially the full extent of the inside of the associatedcase section with each case section having an inner storage compartment,each case section including an inner panel hingedly mounted to provideaccess into the associated compartment with one face thereof formingsaid utility surface; universal hinge means including a plurality offlexible straps alternately connected at diagonally opposite points tojoin corresponding edges of the case sections together for swingingmovement of each case section relative to the other section throughsubstantially a full revolution between a closed position and aninside-out 'open position exposing the inner surfaces thereof for use;

means for releasably securing the case sections together in the closedposition for carrying; retractable-handle means for carrying thesections in a dependent manner; and

means for releasably holding the sections at a selected angular positionrelative to one another.

15. A reversible carrying case comprising:

two case sections of a sandwich construction having a correspondingoutline, each said case section having an inner framework of outwardlyfacing channels, an outer panel secured to the framework flush with theouter edges thereof and an inner panel pivotally mounted on theframework forming an inner storage compartment with the inner panelpivotally mounted to swing to provide access into the associatedcompartment, said inner panels having a smooth, hard, planar, innersurface;

one of the case sections having a light reflective portion on the insidethereof with'the associated panel being of a translucent material and asource of light in the compartment to form a light table;

the other of the case sections having a projector screen surface on theinside thereof with the associated panel being of a transparentmaterial, said panels forming a writing surface when the case sectionsare turned inside out;

a universal hinge including a plurality of flexible straps alternatelycross-connected at diagonally opposite points to adjacent sides of thechannels to hold the case section together for swinging movement of eachcase section relative to the other section between a closed positionwith the sections in a sandwiched relation and an open inside-outposition exposing the inner surfaces thereof for use;

fastener means including a male socket on one case section and a femalesocket on the other case section for releasably fastening the sectionstogether in the closed position;

retractable handle means including a strap slidably mounted in eachchannel along a corresponding outer edge of each section arranged tomove between a retracted position within the associated channel memberand an extended position forming a loop beyond the associated channelfor hand carrying purposes;

a side strap adapted to releasably connect to the sides of each of thesections at a selected angular position relative to one another.

16. A reversible carrying case as set forth in claim 15 17. A reversiblecarrying case set forth in claim 15 wherein said side straps arereleasably mounted in the channel members in the framework when not inuse.

18. In a reversible carrying case, the combination comprising:

two sections having a corresponding outline with at least one sectionhaving a substantially smooth, hard, planar, inner utility surfaceextending continuously throughout substantially the full extent of theinside of the associated section and at least one of said sectionshaving an inner storage compartment;

hinge means connecting corresponding sides of the sections together forswinging movementof each section relative to the other section between aclosed position and an openposition exposing the inner utility surfacefor use;

means to releasably secure the sections together in the closed positionfor carrying; V

said section with a storage compartment has-an outer and an inner panelheld in a spaced apart relation with an inner channel sandwiched betweenthe outer and inner'panels and located along marginal edges thereof withat least the inner of said panels having straight edges terminating'atrounded corners; and

said inner panel being hinged along an edge thereof

1. In a reversible carrying case, the combination comprising: twosections having a corresponding outline with at least one section havinga substantially smooth, hard, planar, inner utility surface extendingcontinuously throughout substantiallY the full extent of the inside ofthe associated section and at least one of said sections having an innerstorage compartment; hinge reversible means connecting correspondingsides of the sections together for swinging movement of each sectionthrough substantially a full revolution relative to the other sectionbetween a closed position and an open position exposing the innerutility surface for use; and means to releasably secure the sectionstogether in the closed position for carrying.
 2. In a reversiblecarrying case as set forth in claim 1 wherein each said section is inthe form of a case with an inner storage compartment, said case sectionsbeing of a corresponding size and shape.
 3. In a reversible carryingcase as set forth in claim 2 wherein at least the hinged sides and outersides opposite the hinged sides of each section are inwardly recessed.4. In a reversible carrying case as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidreversible hinge means includes at least two additional intermediatesections connected between said first-mentioned sections along adjacentsides like an accordion, each of said sections being hingedly connectedto swing through substantially a full revolution relative to the sectionto which it is directly connected.
 5. In a reversible carrying case asset forth in claim 4 wherein each said intermediate section includes apair of opposed transparent panels having substantially smooth, hard,planar surfaces.
 6. In a reversible carrying case as set forth in claim1 wherein said section with a storage compartment has an outer and aninner panel held in a spaced apart relation with an inner channelsandwiched between the outer and inner panels and located along marginaledges thereof with at least the inner of said panels having straightedges terminating at rounded corners, said inner panel having thesubstantially smooth, hard, planar, inner utility surface.
 7. In areversible carrying case as set forth in claim 6 wherein said innerpanel is arranged to provide access into the associated innercompartment.
 8. In a reversible carrying case as set forth in claim 6wherein said section with a storage compartment has an inner lightreflecting surface portion opposite the associated inner panel, a lightsource in said storage compartment, said inner panel being made of atranslucent material to form a light table.
 9. In a reversible carryingcase as set forth in claim 6 wherein said inner channel extends at leastalong opposed side edges and the hinged edge with the channel being opentoward the outside of the case to form a peripheral recess.
 10. In areversible carrying case as set forth in claim 1 wherein there isprovided a screen projector surface portion on a removable sheetassociated with one of said sections.
 11. In a reversible carrying caseas set forth in claim 1 further including holding means coupled betweenthe sections to hold the sections at a selected angle relative to oneanother.
 12. In a reversible carrying case as set forth in claim 1wherein said utility surface is provided by a relatively thin sheet ofPlexiglass.
 13. A reversible carrying case as set forth in claim 1wherein said hinge means includes a plurality of straps connected atdiagonally opposite points on corresponding edges of said sections witheach successive strap alternating between opposite points in thesections to provide a series of cross connections between said sections.14. A reversible carrying case comprising: two case sections having acorresponding outline and each having a smooth, hard, planar, innerutility surface extending continuously throughout substantially the fullextent of the inside of the associated case section with each casesection having an inner storage compartment, each case section includingan inner panel hingedly mounted to provide access into the associatedcompartment with one face thereof forming said utility surface;universal hinge means including a plurality of flexible strapsAlternately connected at diagonally opposite points to joincorresponding edges of the case sections together for swinging movementof each case section relative to the other section through substantiallya full revolution between a closed position and an inside-out openposition exposing the inner surfaces thereof for use; means forreleasably securing the case sections together in the closed positionfor carrying; retractable handle means for carrying the sections in adependent manner; and means for releasably holding the sections at aselected angular position relative to one another.
 15. A reversiblecarrying case comprising: two case sections of a sandwich constructionhaving a corresponding outline, each said case section having an innerframework of outwardly facing channels, an outer panel secured to theframework flush with the outer edges thereof and an inner panelpivotally mounted on the framework forming an inner storage compartmentwith the inner panel pivotally mounted to swing to provide access intothe associated compartment, said inner panels having a smooth, hard,planar, inner surface; one of the case sections having a lightreflective portion on the inside thereof with the associated panel beingof a translucent material and a source of light in the compartment toform a light table; the other of the case sections having a projectorscreen surface on the inside thereof with the associated panel being ofa transparent material, said panels forming a writing surface when thecase sections are turned inside out; a universal hinge including aplurality of flexible straps alternately cross-connected at diagonallyopposite points to adjacent sides of the channels to hold the casesection together for swinging movement of each case section relative tothe other section between a closed position with the sections in asandwiched relation and an open inside-out position exposing the innersurfaces thereof for use; fastener means including a male socket on onecase section and a female socket on the other case section forreleasably fastening the sections together in the closed position;retractable handle means including a strap slidably mounted in eachchannel along a corresponding outer edge of each section arranged tomove between a retracted position within the associated channel memberand an extended position forming a loop beyond the associated channelfor hand carrying purposes; a side strap adapted to releasably connectto the sides of each of the sections at a selected angular positionrelative to one another.
 16. A reversible carrying case as set forth inclaim 15 wherein said inner panels of both sections are made ofPlexiglass.
 17. A reversible carrying case as set forth in claim 15wherein said side straps are releasably mounted in the channel membersin the framework when not in use.
 18. In a reversible carrying case, thecombination comprising: two sections having a corresponding outline withat least one section having a substantially smooth, hard, planar, innerutility surface extending continuously throughout substantially the fullextent of the inside of the associated section and at least one of saidsections having an inner storage compartment; hinge means connectingcorresponding sides of the sections together for swinging movement ofeach section relative to the other section between a closed position andan open position exposing the inner utility surface for use; means toreleasably secure the sections together in the closed position forcarrying; said section with a storage compartment has an outer and aninner panel held in a spaced apart relation with an inner channelsandwiched between the outer and inner panels and located along marginaledges thereof with at least the inner of said panels having straightedges terminating at rounded corners; and said inner panel being hingedalong an edge thereof adjacent said hinge means to swing between aclosed anD an open position.